The Whole Tooth and Nothing But the Tooth

Choosing a style of dental implant is an important task that will affect the outcome of your procedure. You want to choose your implants wisely so they can offer the comfort and function that you expect. Some patients choose subperiosteal implants over the more common endosteal implant variety. There are positive outcomes and drawbacks to each style of implant, and only you and your dentist can make an informed decision about the best option for you. However, here are three things that you can look forward to if you decide to get subperiosteal implants:

1. Fewer Additional Procedures

Dentists most commonly perform dental implant procedures over the course of two or more appointments. Spacing out the steps of the procedure allows the patient's mouth to heal in stages. However, some patients don't want to make frequent trips to the dentist's office. Subperiosteal implants can offer an enticing alternative. Subperiosteal implants can be installed in a single session if desired. This means that the prosthetic tooth will be attached to the below-gum implant during the same appointment. Subperiosteal implants can also help patients avoid an unwanted bone graft if they do not have enough bone mass to receive an endosteal implant.

2. Speedy Recovery

Subperiosteal implants are the fastest-healing variety of implant. Soft tissue heals more readily than bone due to its greater concentration of blood vessels. To place subperiosteal implants in your mouth, all your dentist needs to do is make an incision in your gum tissue. Your dentist will not need to drill a hole in your jawbone as in endosteal implant surgery, which means your total recovery time can be cut down by several weeks. People who receive subperiosteal implants are less likely to require prescription pain medication, which can be good news if you're concerned about developing a dependency. 

3. Sturdy Dental Implants

Subperiosteal implants are anchored by your gum tissue rather than your jawbone. However, they are no less stable due to this alternative placement. Subperiosteal implants are T-shaped, which allows them to be held securely in place by your gums. Over time, your implants can become integrated into the surface of your jawbone for extra stability. You won't have to worry about accidentally losing a dental implant while eating a meal, no matter what foods are on the menu. Subperiosteal implants can last just as long as their endosteal counterparts, so longevity doesn't need to be an additional concern.